LMP2 – SPA SIX HOURS - REPORT

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 14:15

Lotus’s LMP2 team showed strong pace in qualifying for the Spa Six Hours

Lotus’s LMP2 team showed strong pace in qualifying for the Spa Six Hours, with works driver James Rossiter lining his No.32 car on the front row of the class grid, just 4/100ths of a second off pole. However, the Englishman was forced to start from the pitlane with one lap down due to an engine change penalty.

Rossiter fought his way back up to sixth position in the LMP2 class, but the Lotus had a coming together and had to pit for repairs. Finally, with team-mates Thomas Holzer and Mirco Schultis, the car come home 11th.

Car No.31 started fifth place with Renger van der Zande at the helm, followed by Luca Moro and Kevin Weeda. Unfortunately, an hour before the end, the car crashed out.

Renger van der Zande: “It is a great shame that we could not finish the race. Being hit from behind is hard to prevent. The pace was very good until then. There is still some improvement on all areas but the base is there. It was a weekend to learn from for the next races.”

James Rossiter: “It is a real shame that we had to start from the pit lane and were one lap down already from the start on after the engine change. We tried to stay out as long as possible, so I did three stints in order to gain some positions. We managed to unlap ourselves again and were in 6th position. It was a good run for us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t show our potential after we got the penalty, but we learned a lot as a team and I am sure that we will have a great future.”